1990(?) John Deere 4255: The Oppositelock Review

"gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun" (gbergey) 01/19/2015 at 00:00 • Filed to: Farmlopnik, Tractopnik, Tractoppositelock, John Deere

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Back in the late 80's and early 90's this was one of John Deere's midsize row-crop tractors. It, like the fifth-gen Toyota Celica, was available from 1989 to 1993. Unlike the Celica, this could be obtained from the factory with duallies. There was also a Hi-Crop variant available, with an extra foot or so of ground clearance, as well as optional Mechanical Front Wheel Drive, (MFWD). The fourth and final choice given to buyers was whether they wanted 16 forward / 6 reverse speeds in a partial powershift quad range transmission, or whether they'd settle for 15 forward / 5 reverse.

As spec'd, we don't have duallies, it's row-crop instead of Hi-Crop, I do get MFWD, but only 15 forward speeds in which to spin the tires.

( Full Disclosure: My boss bought this thing about 8 years ago to clear land, and this year it'll be my turn. He's letting me stay in a pretty nice house and paying me a bunch too.

Exterior: 9/10

Source: usfarmer.com

Yes, it has an exterior, and that's a good thing, as it gives more area to slather on the green-and-yellow. [side note: would this make a great racing livery? enterprising photoshoppers should inquire] . Like most other large tractors, the 4255 is only available with a hard top, no convertibles, cabrios, targas, T-tops, sunroofs, moonroofs, or other foolishness allowed. This is because the ROPS, R ollOver Protection Structure , is integrated right into the cab, making this essentially a factory-prepared stripped and caged "track car"... maybe that's going too far.

I suppose the argument could be make that's it's a 3 door hatchback with a sliding rear hatch, but I prefer to think of it as a flat-topped coupe.

Interior: 5/10

It's got a seat with a neat pneumatic suspension, the roof doesn't leak, it's somewhat soundproofed, there's heat and AC, and the VISIBILITY IS FANTASTIC. It's like riding the top of a 12 foot ladder; the only exception is directly in front of the hood, there's a blind spot a dozen guys could stand in.

Acceleration: 2/10

Gearshift is large orange lever, 15F/4R, and the small orange lever is your throttle.

Although the engine is a 7.6 liter turbo'd straight six, it must be mentioned that this is a DIESEL 7.6 liter turbocharged engine, which puts a different perspective on things. Even in neutral, it takes at least 5-7 seconds to rev from an idle at 680 RPM to full scream at a jaw-dropping 2300 RPM. As well as this, the 15 speed transmission takes a few seconds to re-engage after every shift.

According to specs, this beast will reach a startling 18.6 MPH in 15th gear, coming after at least a minute of accelerating.

Oh, and acceleration? There's no accelerator pedal, it's a hand throttle all the way, baby!

Torque: +5 Points

Because life isn't just about sports cars. It's rated to tow 17,000 pounds, which means to drag large implements through deep mud. Awesome, right?!

Braking: 4/10

Yes, it'll stop: multiple wet disc hydraulic brakes, with two pedals, one for the right side, and one for the left. Under most conditions, it's best to keep the brakes locked together with a neat little hinged clip between the pedals.

It'll stop just fine, but it's a hell of a lot easier to just keep downshifting and let the transmission take care of this "slowing-down" business.

Ride: 12/10

We've got 14.9R26 on the front, and 18.4R38 on the back. Plus, that floating pneumatic seat.

18.4R38 1* DT710 TL List Price $1998.16

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Handling: 7/10

Giant floaty tires and a power steering pump cranked up to 11 give you no feedback whatsoever. I suspect that if I shut my eyes and drove, I wouldn't feel a thing going through small ditches, running over the boss's F350, knocking down fences.... don't ask me how I know about that last one.

Gearbox: 7/10

Let's get this straight. We have a 15 speed sequential transmission. Sure, it might take a moment to think about things when you take your foot off the clutch, and sure, despite New York City's speed limit being lowered to 25 MPH it still can't keep up with traffic, and sure, there's no paddleshifters, but you've got a gear for anything you can think of!

Audio: 4/10

If you really like straight-six turbo diesels with a vertical central exhaust, you'll tolerate this. Otherwise, suck it up or wear ear plugs, because the radio doesn't work!

Toys: 5/10

The seat has armrests and that awesome pneumatic suspension. There's heat and air conditioning, and a radio/cassette player that doesn't work... I guess I'll have to knock a few points off for that.

There's an external toolbox!

Value: 8/10

With the average price hovering just over $40k, there's few things that can pull 17,000 pounds, lift 7000 LBS on a three point hitch, and provide 4 hydraulic ports and a 540/1000 RPM PTO.

68/100

Engine: 7.6L inline six turbodiesel

Power: 120HP at 2200 RPM

Transmission: 15 Speed Sequential partial power shift

0-60 Time: N/A

Top Speed: 18 MPH

Drivetrain: RWD, with MFWD

Curb Weight: 15,xxx LBS dry, +1500 or so with fuel, weights, and calcium chloride tire ballast.

Seating: 1 person* (unless you're pulling a hay wagon or something)

MPG: Up to 7.3 Gallons / Hour

MSRP: Don't know. Probably $110k or so, adjusted for inflation. Even after 25 years, they still go for $35k - $70k, depending on hours and options.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:14

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One of the first vehicles I ever drove was one of these. I was 5, and I loved it.

Alfalfa > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:19

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would this make a great racing livery? enterprising photoshoppers should inquire

No photoshop needed. You're welcome.

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:22

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Such wants, much torques!!!

Great review, hopefully this will get FP'd

Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:27

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I want a car with this many gears, imagine having 5 reverse speeds!!!

I'm sure the gearbox is huge though

the power to weight ratio is not very good, unless you compare it to a train, how does a 7.6 liter straight 6 diesel engine only make 120 HP?

ly2v8-Brian > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:30

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Cool. Luv me some off highway equipment.

Also for those curious a powershift transmission is basically a hydraulic automatic transmission, minus the automatic shifting. Basically Clutch packs and planetary gear sets. And unless JD did something weird the 'clutch' pedal isn't. It is an inching pedal, technically.

ly2v8-Brian > Alfalfa 01/19/2015 at 00:32

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and NASCAR too

ly2v8-Brian > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 01/19/2015 at 00:33

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Horse power is calculated by revs. (Torque X RPM)/5252=Horse Power.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Alfalfa 01/19/2015 at 00:34

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oh my god. That's fantastic, just needs the wheels in yellow too!

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 01/19/2015 at 00:41

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Something something something *torque per second equations* something something :P

I honestly have no idea, but it just means you go a little slower.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Jordaneer, The Mountaineer Man 01/19/2015 at 00:42

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That'd be awesome, hasn't happened to anything I've written yet though

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > ly2v8-Brian 01/19/2015 at 00:43

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So that's what's inside of it! I always just assumed "magic" and let it do it's own thing.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:45

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What's the torque figure?

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback 01/19/2015 at 00:49

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Around 290 at 2200 RPM. John Deere never supplies this, just a Horsepower / RPM graph, so you have to calculate it yourself for any given engine speed

Edit, the chart has this at the bottom: Maximum Torque 395 Lb.-ft (535 Nm) at 1252 rpm

Birddog > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:54

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Nice review. Jalopnik needs more Farm Implement info. Farmlopnik has a ring to it.

Tell your Boss he bought the wrong color though. ;)

ly2v8-Brian > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 00:56

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Ha, it pretty much is magic.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 00:59

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Hmm, I can't seem to edit the tags? Catchy name though! I'm planning on doing a review of the D8 Cat before we sell it, hopefully next weekend.

Wrong colour?! Have a beige Lamborghini!

ly2v8-Brian > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 01:04

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it's somewhat soundproofed

Funny you mention that, because the cab on this tractor when introduced was called the Sound Guard .

Birddog > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 01:10

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C'mon now. If it ain't Red leave it in the shed.

A D8 dozer? That'd be an interesting review.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > ly2v8-Brian 01/19/2015 at 01:13

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It's pretty decent honestly, unless you've got a window open

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 01:18

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38 tons of awesome:

ly2v8-Brian > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 01:18

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Oh, I know. All things considered those cabs are quiet.

Birddog > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 01:22

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Is it bad that I find that more interesting than a Hellcat?

I think not.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 01:39

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Ford model T's could be turned into tractors just by swapping different wheels on, I wonder what you could do with a Hellcat?!

Birddog > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 01:53

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Jeeps were the same way through the 50s too. I don't see a PTO in a Challenger anytime soon.

Though, A 700hp home sawmill would make Red Green smile.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 02:01

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Hey! I found another Canadian!

Birddog > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 02:17

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I'm not a Canadian yet. I'm just a Midwesterner with good taste.

thebigbossyboss > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 06:52

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Thank you Gbergey for reviewing this farm equipment!!!!

A 15 speed transmission sounds fun. Here is a question which may not be so smart: When I drive my parents little rinky dink lawn tractor I almost never use the throttle, it kind of just sits there and when you put it in gear the thing tends to go a certain speed for that gear. Is your tractor similar, or do you adjust the throttle often?

Sincerely: City slicker who does not know how to drive farm equipment.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 08:18

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I personally prefer Jacropnik.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > thebigbossyboss 01/19/2015 at 11:26

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Yep, that's normal when you drive something with four times more torque than horsepower. I don't know about your lawn tractor, but the only throttle this has is a hand throttle you set and then ignore.

thebigbossyboss > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/19/2015 at 11:50

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Oh ok so it's the same then. I only adjust the throttle once in a blue moon if I'm doing something wierd like trying to drive in the snow or something, or if it hasn't been started in a long time I will set it a bit higher at first.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > Birddog 01/19/2015 at 23:04

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Anyone who like Red Green should be an honourary Canadian!

uofime > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/20/2015 at 10:16

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My family had one of these while I was growing up. I always had to drive it with a grain cart during harvest.

We had put a big chrome straight pipe on ours and man did I love the sound it made going through the gears. I'd often knock it up a couple gears at a time in the lower gears to bog it down a little to hear the low end grunt and the whistle of the turbo as the engine came back up to speed.

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > uofime 01/20/2015 at 11:18

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a big chrome straight pipe

Sold!Did yours make an almighty roar when your started it up too?

uofime > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 01/20/2015 at 12:13

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It certainly did!

I was real sad when the tractor got replaced with a new one, they new ones just done have as much character.